Houston Astros Starting Pitcher Yusei Kikuchi dazzled in his debut for the team tonight at home against the Tampa Bay Rays. He tossed 5.2 innings and surrendered two runs while punching out 11 batters. At one point tonight, Kikuchi struck out eight consecutive Tampa Bay hitters. He walked away with a no-decision as the Houston Astros won 3-2.
Kikuchi was dealt to the Houston Astros on Monday from the Toronto Blue Jays for three prospects. Those prospects were right-hander Pitcher Jake Bloss, Outfielder Joey Loperfido, and Infielder Will Wagner. Kikuchi is 4-9 with a 4.67 ERA this season. Will Kikuchi be able to help the Houston Astros in the home stretch of the 2024 regular season?
Yusei Kikuchi Career Summary
Yusei Kikuchi has struck out 8 straight batters!
Quite the @Astros debut for the southpaw. pic.twitter.com/TZB54UPwLe
— MLB (@MLB) August 3, 2024
Kikuchi made his MLB debut in 2019 as a member of the Seattle Mariners. He spent the first three seasons of his career in Seattle before signing with the Tampa Bay Rays before the 2022 regular season. He made his lone MLB All-Star appearance in 2021. Kikuchi has a career record of 36-46 and a 4.71 ERA.
Houston Astros Season Summary
Houston(57-52) holds a half-game lead in the American League West. They have been led by a strong offense this season. They are second in batting average, 12th in home runs, and 13th in runs scored. Their offense is paced by Second Baseman Jose Altuve and Left Fielder Yordan Alvarez. Altuve is ninth in the league in batting average while Alvarez is top-20 in the league in both batting average and RBI.
The pitching staff of the Houston Astros has been average this season. They are 14th in ERA, sixth in strikeouts, and 20th in WHIP. Their staff is led by Starting Pitchers Framber Valdez and Ronel Blanco. Valdez leads the ballclub with 10 wins while Blanco is 10th in the league in ERA and seventh in WHIP. The backend of the Astros bullpen has been a highlight for the club this season. Closer Josh Hader is eighth in the league in saves and Relief Pitcher Bryan Abreu is fourth in the league in holds.
When Will Kikuchi Take The Mound Next?
Kikuchi does not have an upcoming start scheduled according to ESPN. The Houston Astros play the second game of their three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays tomorrow evening. Houston begins a three-game series with the defending champion Texas Rangers on Monday.
Houston looks well on their way to their eighth straight appearance in the MLB Playoffs and their ninth trip in the last 1o seasons. They are seeking their third World Series title since 2017. Kikuchi will need to pitch well in the final two months of the regular season and assist a pitching staff that has struggled at times this season.
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